Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that from December 1, 2021, Japanese citizens and South Korean citizens who are fully vaccinated would be able to travel from Japan or South Korea to Australia without a travel exemption and quarantine-free to participating states or territories.
Currently, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory allow quarantine free travel for fully vaccinated people arriving in Australia.
Who is Eligible?
Travelers must:
- hold a passport from Japan or the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- have a valid Australian visa
- be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognized by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- There are exemptions in place for children under 12, minors 12 – 17 years of age, and those who are medically exempt from COVID-19 vaccination to access the same arrangements as fully vaccinated travelers.
- depart from Japan or South Korea and arrive in a participating Australian state or territory
- provide proof of their vaccination status
- present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within 3 days of departure (unless a medical exemption applies).
This arrangement applies only to Japanese citizens traveling from Japan and South Korean citizens traveling from South Korea.
If an eligible Japanese or South Korean citizen is traveling with family members, including dependent children, who are not also citizens of Japan or South Korea (or Australian citizens or permanent residents), those family members are not eligible to travel to Australia unless they hold an eligible visa or a travel exemption. Travel exemption requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Japanese citizens and South Korean citizens must hold a valid Australian visa to be eligible for this program. Travelers may apply online.
Erickson Insights
Travel restrictions and guidance are subject to change and often with little advance notice.
Given the dynamic nature of the Australian State and Federal Governments’ response to COVID-19, Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.
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